We rented a car again and returned to one of our favorite beaches from last year, X'cacel Unfortunately saragassum, a brown smelly seaweed was filling the shoreline of all the beaches from Playa to Tulum and maybe further. It has been that way most of this week. Fortunately we saw cleaner shores in February when we were arrived. But the cenote Xcacelito was a pleasant walk away along the shore and into jungle. Being a Saturday, we had to wait 20 minutes to swim in the cenote. It is an ecologically sensitive site and they limit the numbers that swim in the cenote, allowing a half hour for each group. No sunscreen and no food allowed either. Considering that the ocean wasn't swimmable, we were all willing to wait.
See the line of brown along the shore line? That's sargassum. In addition to being unsightly, it is stinky and buggy. But sitting against a log, under a palm tree, closer to the tree line was a very comfortable spot for reading a book and watching the waves.
This is the path between the beach and the cenote. It is really lovely and in a couple spots there are clearings where people gather to picnic.
Here's the cenote before all of the people jumped in. Just like last year, Chris marveled at all the 'flesh' on parade, mostly in the form of young women in thong swimsuits.
More pictures from our walk back to the parking lot.
This hermit crab was amazing! He just popped up from the sand in front of me. Literally popped up! I had no idea crabs lived in dry sand.
After our refreshing swim we drove on to Tulum where Chris had one last mojito at Bateys and I had a grapefruit & mint Guarapo. Notice the guy on a ladder in the back? He's painting a new stage backdrop.
I just love the colors of Mexican shops and carts! Earlier in our trip we rented lounges on a beach from a very friendly man. He asked us how we were enjoying our trip and we were enthusiastic in our response. He told us: "The people in Mexico are pleasant and friendly because they say "You never know when the person you meet might be God.” This is also why they traditionally wear colorful clothes."
One last order of lasagne from the Malqueridas restaurant!
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